Urn storage assembly

ABSTRACT

An urn storage assembly for the interment of cremated remains is disclosed. The assembly includes a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array. Each storage unit has a generally rectangular cross section. The assembly also includes a latticelike framework comprising a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each member being adapted to engage and receive the wall portions of the storage units whereby the lattice-like framework forms a facial array for the storage assembly. The vertical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of the wall portions. Removable cover plates attached to the lattice-like framework are provided for covering one end of each storage unit.

United States Patent [191 Andros et al.

[ 1 Oct. 15, 1974 URN STORAGE ASSEMBLY [73] Assignee: Jas. H. Matthews & Co., Pittsburgh,

221 Filed: Apr. 13,1973

21 Appl. No.: 350,683

[52] US. Cl 312/111, 211/84, 211/177 [51] Int. Cl A47f 5/00, F16b 12/02 [58] FieldofSearch .."211/177,84,71,'1 18, 10;

312/107, 111, 108,257 R, 257 SK; 27/1; 46/26; 52/136, 137, 134, 280,- 282, 495

Primary ExaminerRamon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parmelee, Miller, Welsh & Kratz [57] ABSTRACT An urn storage assembly for the interment of cremated remains is disclosed. The assembly includes a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array. Each storage unit has a generally rectangular cross section. The assembly also includes a lattice-like framework comprising a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each member being adapted to engage and receive the wall portions of the storage units whereby the lattice like framework forms a facial array for the storage assembly. The vertical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of the wall portions. Removable cover plates attached to the lattice-like framework are provided for covering one end of each storage unit.

' T0 Claims, 12 Tiraiving Figui es 1 URN STORAGE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an urn storage assembly for the interment of cremated remains.

Various structures exist for the storage of urns used for the interment of cremated remains. One such repository structure is a permanent side-by-side niche arrangement formed in the walls of a building referred to as a columbarium. The urns are placed in the niches and removable covers are placed over the openings of the niches. Other repository structures have been proposed such as those disclosed in theU.S. Pat. to Diem, No. 3,183,574, and the U.S. Pat. to Thompson, No. 3,529,730. Both the Diem and Thompson structures are essentially frame assemblies which may be erected at the final location site and suitably secured in place. In one of the structures disclosed by Thompson a honey-comb arrangement provides the storage space for the urns.

The Diem structure requires an elaborate frame comprising various shaped horizontal bars and um support members vertically separated by spacer elements. The Diem frame is designed to accommodate a specially constructed urn having a generally hexagonal cross section shape and would require extensive design changes to accommodate different shaped urns which would provide storage niches having differing vertical and/or horizontal dimensions. One Thompson storagestructure comprises an array of tubular members which in one embodiment is a plurality of separate tube supported by a permanent frame and in another embodiment is a permanent honey-comb structure. Both Thompson structures would require major changes to provide niches of varying shapes. A more practical structure is disclosed in application Ser. No. 198,645, filed Nov. I5, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,805, assigned to the assignee herein. The present invention is an improvement on that assembly. This invention allows for a simple, less expensive structure by the elimination of the corner clips for construction of the assembly and the corner plates for securing the cover plate on each storage unit. It is also more readily adapted to construction of niches of varying shapes and sizes since different storage units are not required for niches of different sizes and shapes. The use of individual wall portions allows such varying size niches to be ,constructed from standard sized wall portions, and eliminates the need for the tubular storage members of the earlier application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a structure which is simple and inexpensively constructed while allowing for varying sized storing niches without requiring major design changes from the overall structure. More particularly, these advantages result from the urn storage assembly of the present invention which preferably comprises a plurality of storage units in the generally rectangular array, each of which has a generally rectangular cross section and spaced apart side-wall portions, topwall portion and bottom-wall portion, a lattice-like framework including a plurality of intersecting rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each member adapted to engage and receive the wall por-' tions of the storage unit whereby the lattice-like framework forms a facial array for the storage assembly, and elongated structural members to interconnect the wall portions.

Each of the vertical members. has recessed portions at the points of intersection with the horizontal members and each of the horizontal members has recessed portions adapted to engage and receive the recessed portions in the vertical members. The vertical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of the wall portions. Thus, the structure of this invention allows .for the construction of varying sized storage niches. In the preferred form of this invention, the elongated structural members have longitudinal slots with respective center lines 90 apart and sized and shaped to accept the wall portions. Each of these structural members is perpendicular to both one of the vertical members and one of the horizontal members, and extends from the intersection of the horizontal and vertical members. These elongated structural members secure the wall portions in a generally rectangular array, and in combination with the latticelike framework, hold the wall portions in a rigid, interconnected structure. Also in the preferred embodiment, a removable cover plate is provided for covering A member of FIG. 8 at the point BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the intersection of four contiguous storage units and connected framework.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the storage assembly of the present invention in various stages of construction.

FIG. 3 is an isometric cross section of two'horizontal members and cover plate of one embodiment of the cover means.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of the cover means.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the frammework of one storage unit of the present invention with crosssections of the vertical and horizontal members superimposed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of a vertical member at the point of intersection with a horizontal member.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a horizontal member at the point of intersection with a vertical member.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the intersection of a horizontal and vertical member of the second cover embodiment with cross sections of the members superimposed.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of the vertical mem- I ber of FIG. 8 at the point of intersection with the horizontal member.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of the horizontal of intersection with the vertical member.

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the three slot extruded bar used on the edge of an embodiment of the present I invention.

FIG. 12 is a two slot extruded bar used at the corner of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention can best be understood by reference to the attached drawings. As shown in FIG. I, a vertical member 2 having a recessed portion 4 intersects with a horizontal member 6 having a recessed portion 8. The recessed portion 4 and the recessed portion 8 are sized and shaped so as to allow the vertical member 2 to mate with the horizontal member 6. An elongated structural member 10 is perpendicular to both the vertical member 2 and the horizontal member 6 and extends from the intersection of the horizontal and vertical members. A threaded stud 12 fits into a first threaded hole 14 in the vertical member 2, through a second threaded hole 16 in the horizontal member 6, and into a third threaded hole I8 in the elongated structural member 10 to rigidly interconnect the horizontal and vertical members and also to secure the horizontal and vertical members to the elongated structural member It). The elongated structural member 10 at the intersection of four storage units is preferably in the form of an extruded metal bar having four longitudinal slots 20 with, respective center lines spaced 90 apart. Similar bars having only two or three slots may be used at the sides and corners of the storage'assembly rspectively. Cross sections of such bars are shown in FIG. 11 and 12. The slots 20 in the extruded bar are sized and shaped to receive horizontal and vertical wall portions 22. Similarly sized and shaped slots 23 are provided in the vertical member 2 and the horizontal member 6 such that the wall portions are held in a rigidly interconnected rectangular array. This array is made up of a plurality of individual rectangular storage units wherein each vertical wall portion forms side walls for one or more such storage units, and wherein each horizontal wall portion forms the top or bottom of a storage unit. Each horizontal wall portion may seve as both the top wall portion of one storage unit and the bottom wall portion of another unit. The extruded bar is also secured to a back 24 which covers one end of all the storageunits. The back 24 may be secured to the extruded bar by the use of a screw 26 which passes through a hole 28 in the back 24 and into a threaded hole (not shown) in the end of the extruded bar. Each vertical member 2 has flanges 30 which support the cover means shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as will be discussed below.

If the two and three slot extruded bars previously mentioned are used in the corners and sides of the storage assembly, no further exterior walls are required. However, if desired, separate exterior walls may be provided to surround the entire storage assembly. In one embodiment an extruded metal bar 32 having one slot 34 is secured to an exterior wall 36. The single slot 34 is sized and shaped to receive the wall portions 22 and secures the wall portions of each of the outer storage units of an array of such units to the exterior wall 36. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the same four slot extruded bars 10 are used in the construction of all storage units.

FIG. 2 shows the construction of an assembly of multiple storage units and the various ways in which these units may be combined. It further shows how storage units can be combined into subassemblies which can be combined into a larger storage assembly. Such a construction allows for an infinite number of variations of size and shape in the overall storage assembly. For example, subassembly A is comprised of two storage units and subassembly B is comprised of four storage units. Each of these assemblies has its own exterior walls 36 such that when combined into a larger storage assembly double walls 37 are formed which add to the strength of the entire assembly. When such a storage assembly is constructed the vertical members 2 and the horizontal members 6 form a lattice-like framework which serves as a facial array for the storage assembly. The vertical members 2 and the horizontal members 6 are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of the wall portions 22.

The individual storage units mmay be left open at one end or may be supplied with covers of glass or other transparent or opaque material. Such covers 42 are shown on three of the storage units in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the preferred method of attaching the covers to the ends of each storage unit. In this embodiment each horizontal member 6 has a support channel 38 and a guide channel 40. The guide channel 40 of each horizontal member 6 is larger than the support channel 38 thereof and is shaped to allows the cover plate 42 to be inserted into the guide channel 40 of one horizontal member 6 and lowered into the support channel 38 of another horizontal member 6. Each channel may be provided with a bumper 44 of vinyl or other cushioning material to allow the cover plate 42 to be inserted quietly and without damage. Similar bumpers are provided in the flange 30 of the vertical member 2 to cushion the cover plate 42 where it rests against the flange 30 of the vertical member 2.

Another method of covering the storage unit is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment the horizontal member 6 does not have guide and support channels but is rather shaped similarly to the vertical member 2 and has flanges 46 similar to the flanges 30 in the vertical member 2. Both the vertical member 2 and the horizontal member 6 are provided with bumpers 44 on the flanges against which the cover plate 42 rests. The cover plate 42 is then secured to the horizontal and vertical members by a corner plate 48 secured to the intersection of the horizontal and vertical members.

Further details of the first cover embodiment can be seen from FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. FIG. 5 shows the framework on one storage unit formed by vertical members 2 and horizontal members 6. Incuded is a cross section of the horizontal member 6 showing the slot 23 sized and shaped to fit the wall portions 22, the support slot 28 and the guide slot 40 with bumpers 44. The cross section of the vertical member 2 shows the slot 23', flanges 30 and bumpers 44. FIG. 6 shows a portion of the vertical member-2 at the point of intersection with the horizontal member 6 including the recessed portion 4 and the first threaded hole 14. FIG. 7 shows a portion of the horizontal member 6 at the point of intersection with the vertical member 2 including the recessed portion 3, the second threaded hole 16, and the stud 12. Similarly, FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show further details of the horizontal and vertical members of the second cover embodiment of FIG. 4. Fl. 8 shows the intersection of one horizontal member 6 and one vertical member 2 including the cross section of the vertical member 2, showing the slot 23, flanges 30 and the bumpers 44, and a cross section of the horizontal member 6 showing the slot 23, flanges 46 and the bumpers 44. FIG. 9 shows a portion of the vertical member 2 at the intersection with the horizontal member 6 including the recessed portion 4 and the first threaded hole 14. P16. shows a portion of the horizontal member 6 at. the intersection of the vertical member 2 showing the recessed portion 8 and the second threaded hole 16.

FIG. 11 shows the three slot extruded bar used on edges of the storage assembly in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 shows the two slot extruded bar used in the corners of the storage assembly in the same embodiment as previously mentioned.

We claim:

1. ln an urn storage assembly for interring cremated remains wherein said storage assembly includes a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array, each of said storage units having a generally rectangular cross section and having spaced-apart side wall portions, a top wall portion, and a bottom wall portion, the improvement comprising:

a lattice-like framework including a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each of said members having slots engaging and receiving front edges of said wall portions of said storage unit whereby said lattice-like framework forms a facial array for said storage assembly;

each of said vertical members having recessed portions at the point of intersection with the horizontal members;

each of said horizontal members having recessed portions fitting the recessed portions of said vertical members whereby said vetical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of said wall portions; and

a plurality of elongated structural members each having a plurality of longitudinal slots, saidslots having their respective center lines spaced 90 apart and receiving side edges of said wall portions, each of said structural members being rigidly connected to said lattice-like framework perpendicular to both one of said vertical members and one of said horizontal members and extending from the intersection of said members, with said slots in said structural members being coplanar with slots in the respective vertical and horizontal members, whereby said structural members secure said wall portions in a generally rectangular array.

2. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1, including cover means for covering one end of each of said storage units wherein each said cover means is removably attachable to the lattice-like framework.

3. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said cover means comprises a cover plate sized to cover the end of a storage'unit and four corner plates, one of said corner plates abutting each corner of said cover plate, each of said corner plates being attached to said lattice-like framework at the point of intersection of the horizontal and vertical members.

4. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said horizontal frame members has a support channel and a guide channel, and said cover means comprises a cover plate sized to cover the end of a storage unit and adapted to fit into the guide channel of one horizontal member and the support channel of another horizontal member.

5. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2, including resilient bumpers affixed to said lattice-like framework whereby said cover means are cushioned by said resilient bumpers when attached to said lattice-like framework,

6. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional areas of some of said storage units vary in size from the others.

7. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1, including a threaded stud which fits into said vertical member, passes through said horizontal member and fits into said elongated structural member whereby said vertical member, said horizontal member, and said elongated structural member are rigidly interconnected by said threaded stud.

8. in an urn storage assembly for interring cremated remains wherein said storage assembly includes a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array, each of said storage units having a generally rectangular cross section and having spaced-apart side wall portions, a top wall portion, and a bottom wall portions, the improvement comprising:

a lattice-like framework including a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each of said members having slots engaging and receiving front edges of said wall portions of said storage unit whereby said lattice-like framework forms a facial array for said storage assembly;

each of said vertical members having recessed portions at the point of intersection with the horizontal members;

'each of said horizontal members having recessed portions fitting the recessed portions of said vertical members whereby said vertical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined 'by the outer edge of said wall portions; a plurality of elongated structural members each having a plurality of longitudinal slots, said slots having their'respective center lines spaced apart and receiving side edges of said wall portions, each of said structural members being perpendicular to both one of said vertical members and one of said horizontal members and extending from the intersection of said members, with said slots in said structural members being coplanar with slots in the respective vertical and horizontal members, whereby said structural members secure said wall portions in a generally rectangular array;

a back covering one end of all of said storage units;

and

four exterior walls enclosing all of said storage units in said storage assembly.

9. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 8, including cover means for covering one end of each of said storage units wherein each said cover means is removably attachable to the lattice-like'framework.

10. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 9, including resilient bumpers affixed to said lattice-like framework whereby said cover means are cushioned by said resilient bumpers when attached to said lattice-like framework. 

1. In an urn storage assembly for interring cremated remains wherein said storage assembly includes a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array, each of said storage units having a generally rectangular cross section and having spaced-apart side wall portions, a top wall portion, and a bottom wall portion, the improvement comprising: a lattice-like framework including a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each of said members having slots engaging and receiving front edges of said wall portions of said storage unit whereby said latticeliKe framework forms a facial array for said storage assembly; each of said vertical members having recessed portions at the point of intersection with the horizontal members; each of said horizontal members having recessed portions fitting the recessed portions of said vertical members whereby said vetical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of said wall portions; and a plurality of elongated structural members each having a plurality of longitudinal slots, said slots having their respective center lines spaced 90* apart and receiving side edges of said wall portions, each of said structural members being rigidly connected to said lattice-like framework perpendicular to both one of said vertical members and one of said horizontal members and extending from the intersection of said members, with said slots in said structural members being coplanar with slots in the respective vertical and horizontal members, whereby said structural members secure said wall portions in a generally rectangular array.
 2. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1, including cover means for covering one end of each of said storage units wherein each said cover means is removably attachable to the lattice-like framework.
 3. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said cover means comprises a cover plate sized to cover the end of a storage unit and four corner plates, one of said corner plates abutting each corner of said cover plate, each of said corner plates being attached to said lattice-like framework at the point of intersection of the horizontal and vertical members.
 4. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said horizontal frame members has a support channel and a guide channel, and said cover means comprises a cover plate sized to cover the end of a storage unit and adapted to fit into the guide channel of one horizontal member and the support channel of another horizontal member.
 5. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2, including resilient bumpers affixed to said lattice-like framework whereby said cover means are cushioned by said resilient bumpers when attached to said lattice-like framework.
 6. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional areas of some of said storage units vary in size from the others.
 7. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1, including a threaded stud which fits into said vertical member, passes through said horizontal member and fits into said elongated structural member whereby said vertical member, said horizontal member, and said elongated structural member are rigidly interconnected by said threaded stud.
 8. In an urn storage assembly for interring cremated remains wherein said storage assembly includes a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array, each of said storage units having a generally rectangular cross section and having spaced-apart side wall portions, a top wall portion, and a bottom wall portions, the improvement comprising: a lattice-like framework including a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, each of said members having slots engaging and receiving front edges of said wall portions of said storage unit whereby said lattice-like framework forms a facial array for said storage assembly; each of said vertical members having recessed portions at the point of intersection with the horizontal members; each of said horizontal members having recessed portions fitting the recessed portions of said vertical members whereby said vertical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of said wall portions; a plurality of elongated structural members each having a plurality of longitudinal slots, said slots having their respective center lines spaced 90* apart and receiving side edges of said wall portions, each of said structurAl members being perpendicular to both one of said vertical members and one of said horizontal members and extending from the intersection of said members, with said slots in said structural members being coplanar with slots in the respective vertical and horizontal members, whereby said structural members secure said wall portions in a generally rectangular array; a back covering one end of all of said storage units; and four exterior walls enclosing all of said storage units in said storage assembly.
 9. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 8, including cover means for covering one end of each of said storage units wherein each said cover means is removably attachable to the lattice-like framework.
 10. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 9, including resilient bumpers affixed to said lattice-like framework whereby said cover means are cushioned by said resilient bumpers when attached to said lattice-like framework. 